Alan Joyce, the head of Qantas, will step down from his role two months earlier than originally planned due to increasing controversies surrounding the airline. He was initially scheduled to leave in November after serving as CEO for 15 years but has decided to exit immediately.

Joyce mentioned that recent focus on "past events" made it evident that this was the best course of action. Vanessa Hudson, the chief financial officer, will take over as Qantas' first female CEO, assuming the position on Wednesday.

Qantas has faced significant public backlash in recent years, despite achieving record profits. Issues include high airfares, widespread flight delays and cancellations, and labor-related concerns.

Additionally, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has taken legal action against the airline for allegedly selling tickets to flights it had already canceled, further exacerbating the situation.

Qantas is currently dealing with multiple legal challenges, including an appeal against accusations of improperly outsourcing jobs during the pandemic and a class-action lawsuit related to its inflexible flight credit scheme. Some stakeholders are also pressuring to reject Alan Joyce's final compensation package, which is reportedly substantial.

In his statement, Joyce did not address these calls and expressed his pride in his time at Qantas while emphasizing the need for the company to focus on renewal and customer satisfaction.

Alan Joyce has faced personal challenges, including protests at his Sydney home and a pie-throwing incident in 2017 due to his public support for same-sex marriage. However, he has received praise for his leadership during the 2008 financial crisis, the pandemic, and periods of high oil prices.

Qantas' chairman, Richard Goyder, praised Joyce's commitment to the airline and acknowledged the challenging circumstances during this transition. Vanessa Hudson, upon her appointment as CEO, had emphasized her priority of restoring the airline's reputation.